Bermuda’s youth basketball development took a major leap forward as both the Under-17 and Under-19 National teams concluded their campaigns at the highly competitive Portugal Basketball Festival.
The tournament proved to be a resounding success for the island's rising stars, highlighted by a podium finish for the Under-19 squad and an encouraging week of high-octane growth for the Under-17s.
The Bermuda Under-19 team capped off a spectacular week in Lisbon by capturing third place, dismantling local powerhouses CAB Madeira 52-32 in a dominant bronze-medal showcase.
Bermuda's suffocating defensive press completely rattled the Portuguese side from the opening tip, allowing the Gombey Warriors to build an early double-digit cushion that they never looked like relinquishing.
The comprehensive victory put the finishing touches on an impressive 3-1 tournament record for the Under-19s, proving that Bermuda can go toe-to-toe with established European club systems.
The Under-17 national team found the going a bit tougher in their final outing, falling to a highly disciplined SAWUSA select team in a bruising encounter.
The defeat left the Under-17s with a 2-3 record in official tournament play. However, that number doesn't tell the full story of their European tour.
A Winning Tour Overall When factoring in their pre-tournament schedule, the Under-17s actually head back across the Atlantic boasting a positive 4-3 overall record, having swept both of their high-intensity warm-up fixtures prior to the festival's tip-off.
With a wealth of international experience gained against diverse playing styles, both squads return home to Bermuda having laid a formidable foundation for the future of the sport on the island.
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